Hot flashes caused by some treatments for breast cancer could be attenuated by sustained acupuncture sessions. Acupuncture against the hot flashes Acupuncture against the hot flashes According to the results of a clinical trial american acupuncture would help curb the hot flashes and night sweats often caused by hormone therapy for breast cancer. The benefits of this approach would also be important and more durable than those contributed by the drugs conventionally used to counteract these unpleasant side effects. The hot flashes caused by some cancer treatments can be attenuated by administration of venlafaxine. However, this molecule has itself its own side effects: it causes a sensation of dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea and constipation. Acupuncture for relieving hot flashes associated with menopause, a team of American doctors have imagined it could also benefit patients on hormone therapy tumor..
The hypothesis was tested in a small clinical trial. Fifty patients were divided randomly into two groups: first group of women have received the drug typically used to reduce the hot flashes for twelve weeks. Those of the second group were treated with acupuncture, a rate of two sessions per week for four weeks followed by a weekly session the remaining eight weeks. The patients were then followed for one year. Initially, it appeared that the two treatment modalities were equally effective, leading one as the other has a 50% reduction of episodes of hot flashes and mood changes associated. However, while the effect of drug treatment fades after only two weeks, one of acupuncture lasts up to three months. In addition, acupuncture is well tolerated by patients and is not accompanied by side effects. Before it can be definitely established that the benefit of acupuncture is superior to that of the administration of venlafaxine to relieve patients on hormone therapy antitumor, these results must be replicated on a larger group of patients.


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